MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has described the Philippine-United States-Japan trilateral meeting as a “a natural progression of deepening relations and robust cooperation” among allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the Chief Executive, his meeting with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was due to their shared belief in democracy and the rule of law.
“We meet today as friends and partners, bound by a shared vision and pursuit of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” President Marcos told the local media in Washington.
He added: “It is a partnership, borne not out of convenience nor of expediency, but as a natural progression of a deepening relations and robust cooperation amongst our three nations, linked by a profound respect for democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.”
President Marcos also stated that he believes the trilateral meeting is just the beginning of stronger ties and more coordinated efforts toward promoting a rules-based international order.
“This meeting can be just a beginning. Facing the complex challenges of our time requires concerted efforts on everyone’s part, a dedication to a common purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order,” Marcos said.
“This is a meeting that looks ahead. As we deepen our ties and enhance our coordination, we seek to identify ways of growing our economies and making them more resilient, climate-proofing our cities and our societies, sustaining our development progress, and forging a peaceful world for the next generation,” he added.
The trilateral summit, the first among the leaders of the Philippines, United States, and Japan, came in light of an increased tension in the WPS or South China Sea the past few weeks.
The China Coast Guard on March 23 water cannoned Philippine Coast Guard’s resupply ship en route to the Ayungin Shoal, causing heavy damage and hurting three Filipino sailors.
The said Filipino ship was on a mission to provide supplies to the decrepit Navy vessel the BRP Sierra Madre that had been aground in the country’s outpost in the area./PN
